A photo taken on December 9, 2023 shows puppeteers from China and abroad gathering on stage in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China. /CFP

 

After four days of captivating performances, the 7th China Quanzhou International Puppet Festival concluded in Quanzhou, south China's Fujian Province. Over 80 spectacular shows were presented by 35 puppetry performing troupes from 12 countries, including Spain, Russia, Italy, the Philippines and Indonesia.

 

The festival, held in the hometown of Chinese string puppetry, showcased the high-level skills of Quanzhou's puppeteers, leaving both performers and audiences amazed.

 

In China, string puppetry is an important form of traditional theater that originated in Quanzhou during the Han Dynasty (202-220 B.C.). Passed down and developed over thousands of years, more than 700 traditional plays have been preserved, embodying folk beliefs and customs such as marriages and funerals.

 

A photo taken on December 9, 2023 shows puppeteers practicing backstage in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China. /CFP

 

In addition to the traditional repertoire, Quanzhou string puppetry has evolved into a diverse array of themes incorporating literary scripts and captivating storylines. The plays range from mythological adaptations of ancient classics to modern reflections on contemporary life, as well as fairy tales for children.

 

In addition to the continuous updating of the content of the plays, the enduring vitality of Quanzhou puppetry is sustained by the continuous innovation, protection and inheritance of the skills involved by its artists.

 

Each puppet, crafted with exquisite workmanship, is equipped with 8 to 16 strings, while more complex performances may require up to 36 strings. The strings are divided into several groups according to human movements, and all the actions are controlled solely by the hands of the puppeteers.

 

A file photo shows a traditional string puppetry performance in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China. /CFP

 

Performing actions such as undressing, drawing a sword, and holding an umbrella involves great difficulty, sometimes requiring two or even more puppeteers to collaborate. Only precise control of each string can give the puppet a soul and authentically express the plot.

 

To master string puppetry, skilled puppetry techniques are not enough. Puppeteers also need to have rich life experiences to understand the emotional world of the characters to help bring the puppets to life.

 

On May 20, 2006, Quanzhou string puppetry was inscribed into the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list.

 

As the hometown of string puppetry, Quanzhou was also the first city in China to host an international puppet festival, successfully hosting six sessions in 1986, 1990, 2000, 2015, 2017 and 2019, establishing a grand gathering for puppetry artists from home and abroad.